General Assembly of Virginia.
[extra session.]
Senate. Monday, Feb. 18, 1861.
Bills Reported.--
Mr. Paxton, from committee, reported a bill to incorporate the
Elk River Railroad Company, and a bill to incorporate the
National Railroad Company.
Mr. Coghill reported a bill to amend the 9th section of an act passed March 24th, 1848, entitled an act to incorporate the
Lynchburg and Tennessee Railroad Company.
Mr. Newman, by leave, reported a bill to incorporate the
Virginia Mineral Oil and Coal Company, in the county of
Mason, and a bill to amend an act entitled an act to incorporate the
Mason county Mining and Manufacturing Company, in the county of
Mason, passed March 22, 1860.
A large number of bills were advanced a stage.
Resolutions.--The following resolutions of inquiry were adopted and appropriately referred:--By
Mr. Johnson, of prohibiting by law the sale of ardent spirits to free negroes; by
Mr. Critcher, of refunding to
John F. Hughlett certain expenses incurred by him in the service of the
Commonwealth.
On motion of
Mr. August, the Senate adjourned.
House of Delegates.
Monday, Feb. 18th, 1861.
The
House was called to order by
Mr. Tomlin, of
King William county.
Prayer by
Rev. George Jacobs, of the Hebrew Church, as follows:
‘
Almighty God.
Sovereign of the Universe, whose throne is the heaven, whose footstool is the earth — in whose presence we are as an atom of dust, like a single drop of the mighty ocean — we approach Thee this day in deep humility to supplicate Thy goodness and compassion.
We acknowledge, oh Father, how weak and powerless we are; that without Thy aid, vain and futile would be all our endeavors.
We beseech Thee, therefore, to be gracious unto us, and that Thou will not deal with us according to what our actions have justly merited, but in Thy divine attribute of mercy.
’
In the gloom which hovers over our land, enshrouding all, as it were, in darkness, where shall we look for light.
if not to Thee?
In the troubles that now threaten us, from whom shall we crave succor except from Thee, who art ever ready to listen to those who call upon Thee in Truth?
We entreat Thee, oh
Lord of Lords and
King of
Kings, to inspire those who have been chosen to represent this Commonwealth with a due sense of their unworthiness.
Oh, teach them to look up to Thee, at all times, for aid; and do Thou, oh Father, make them fully sensible of the important trusts that have been delegated to them.--May Thy guidance be with them in their deliberations, and may all their actions be dictated by a proper, temperate, yet firm and dignified spirit, and be productive of the best results to our beloved Commonwealth.
Bless us, oh
Lord, and preserve us. Lift up Thy countenance upon us, and be gracious unto us. Lift up Thy countenance upon us, and grant us peace.
Amen.
State Convention.--The
Chairman announced the receipt of a number of tickets from the
President of the State Convention, intended for members, which he said would be given to the first Doorkeeper for delivery.
A message was received from the Senate, announcing the passage of a number of bills, most of which were appropriately referred.
Senate Bills Reported.--The following Senate bills were favorably reported on by
House committees: Authorizing the Merchants' Bank of
Virginia to establish branches at
Rocky Mount, Liberty,
Goodson and
Princeton; to incorporate St. Paul's Church Home; for the relief of the securities, of James R.
Courtney, of
Westmoreland county; making an appropriation for the publication of the second edition of the Code.
Bills Reported.--The following
House bills were reported: Changing the time of holding.
the
Circuit Courts in the sown of
Danville; authorizing the amendment of the charter of the
Holliday's Cove Railroad; for the relief of
Hilton Fitzhugh, late
Sheriff of
Prince William county.
Kill Passed.--Senate bill authorizing the payment of a sum of money to
Scott and
Anderson for constructing the
Hillsville Turnpike — ayes 92, noes 2.
The
House adjourned to attend the
Convention.
